Tuesday, November 11, 2008
AGO Preview
Did a member's preview of the Gehry renovation....
Monday, November 3, 2008
Colio Estate Winery and Riverview Cellars
The site plan of the winery will be voted on by council today. The winery is less than half of the size of Jackson Triggs or Pillitteri. It incorporates several green technologies like a green roof and a lagoon to treat process wastewater. One of the key decisions is a trivial setback distance from an adjacent estate winery. The current neighbours(also an estate winery-Riverview Cellars) whose home is a couple of feet from the property line do not wish to share this priveledge(even though the new proposed setback is significantly larger). It seems more about 'I' was here first so now you have to follow my rules even though we are in the same game. Where did all the good neighbours go?
Labels: news
Monday, October 6, 2008
Nuit Blanche Weekend
The Liberty Village portion of Nuit Blanche was great. It was the only one time allowed for a visit. (cell phone photos oops)
Labels: news
Thursday, October 2, 2008
G Bruce Stratton Architects Published in Canadian Interiors
Canadian_Interiors_OIS000.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS001.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS002.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS003.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS004.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS005.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS001.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS002.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS003.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS004.pdf
Canadian_Interiors_OIS005.pdf
Labels: news, OCC, office interior
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
WaveDeck- Viewed It
Monday, September 22, 2008
The WaveDeck- I missed it.
I ride my bike past here weekly and did not notice the new urban landscape which photographs well! The wooden structure is a change to the concrete walls of Queens Quay. We will test it out in the next few days.
Labels: landscape design, news
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Working for the Man: China and Architecture
A good article on architects and the moral dilemma they may face when accepting work from regimes who's human rights issues are in question.
Labels: architects, news
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Walking Tour Downtown Toronto
The other day we took a brief walking tour around the University of Toronto to look at various design items in new buildings.
Labels: architects, news
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
New Ceramic Lighting
Some great lights found at the Gardiner Museum and soon to be in a GBSA project....
Labels: industrial design, news
Monday, July 28, 2008
Colio Niagara Winery Ministry Certificate
It has taken several months but we now have the Environmental certificate required to produce the quantity of wine desired on the Niagara site. The next step will be another town meeting to review the design.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Gehry in England
LONDON.- The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2008, which gives England the first built project by legendary architect Frank Gehry, opens on 20 July (until 19 October). The spectacular structure – designed and engineered in collaboration with Arup – is anchored by four massive steel columns and is comprised of large timber planks and a complex network of overlapping glass planes that create a dramatic, multi-dimensional space. Gehry and his team took inspiration for this year’s Pavilion from a fascinating variety of sources including the elaborate wooden catapults designed by Leonardo da Vinci as well as the striped walls of summer beach huts. Part-amphitheatre, part-promenade, these seemingly random elements make a transformative place for reflection and relaxation by day, and discussion and performance by night.
compliments of artdaily.org
Labels: architects, news
Monday, July 14, 2008
655 Bay Final Pieces
Friday, July 11, 2008
College St Upheaval.....
Rarely do things come up which make you say I have seen that before. How many times have we seen a modernist design sprout on our character streets? We will maintain the context by putting a store on the ground floor. After that, a perch for one. Gone are the tight apartments you see to the left and right. What then happens to the people who crowd the streets during the day and night? Density? forget it. In this case the house design is fine but what does it really do to the street and neighbourhood it soo longs to be in? We really need to investigate density in our neighbourhoods and look at cities like Montreal to see how we maintain our character streets through design. Funny thing is the article in today's globe and mail calls it "luxurious digs in a blue collar context" sort of like a foreman's office in a factory.
Labels: globe and mail architecture, news
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Shape-Shifting Skyscraper in Dubai
Artist rendering released by Dynamic Architecture shows a
rotating skyscraper that is to be built in Dubai. Click here for details.
Designed by Italian architect David Fisher, this energy-efficient rotating skyscraper generates electricity via wind turbines built on every floor and is set to be completed in 2010. The Italian-made pre-fab parts allow for reduced costs of up to 10%, as well as shorter construction times (1 floor per week).
Estimated Cost: $700 Million US
Video: "Moving" Building Set for Dubai (Reuters UK)
Labels: architects, news, urban planning
Monday, June 23, 2008
New TTC Platforms and Subway Advertising
So, much has been said about the recent renovations at Museum Station. This morning I took note of all the advertising on the walls of the St.George platform. The next station was Museum. There were no adds on the walls at the platform train level. Is this the new design intent? Will the cash strapped TTC dump advertising on the newly designed stations? Or are they just waiting for the next Jurassic Park to be released?
Labels: news, subway stations, ttc
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Happy Birthday Bruce!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Modern Times
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Bay Offices Have Tile!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
New York City Skyscraper
People walk past artist Chris Burden's 65-foot tall skyscraper sculpture, constructed out of toy parts, in the plaza at Rockefeller Center, in New York, June 10, 2008
thanks to yahoo and reuters
thanks to yahoo and reuters
Labels: news
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
In Bloom
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A Project Changing Seasons or Owners
Monday, June 2, 2008
Toronto's Billboarditis
Today's Globe and Mail has an interesting article about the city billboards.
The building in the background is actually the building our office is in.
It is great to read that someone is doing something about this mass media overload.
Labels: news
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
from the Archives-Beaches Library Model
From the Archives- Proposal Cover
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Now For Something Completely Different
Concrete Toronto Music
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Crawford Street Bridge, West Side, November 16, 1915. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1615
thank you to the Torontoist for this photo.....
Labels: news, Toronto history
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Periodical Sarcasm
John Barber's column in today's Globe and Mail is just full of it.
Looking to add to your social dynamic? Just read it. Pfffft.
The disappointing in the article is that the Hummingbird Centre is referred to
as a homely Toronto landmark. I think this is where the journalists credibility is lost.What is Das Boot? Is it not a film? Forget the posturing of politicians and economic indicators the proposed 'L' has several other aesthetic obstacles. If there ever was a reason to wish for a recession.....
Labels: news
Monday, May 5, 2008
Browsing Toronto Architecture Awards
So there seems to be many awards being issued in the past few weeks.
The OAA even has a People's Choice Award. We are even awarding the
'ugly'. There is also people speculating about the Toronto Style and what it is.
Apparently several 5 year old europeans have this architectural knowledge. It reminds me of reading movie reviews. I guess every building has an award and if does not then why not create one. It's like reading headlines from that columnist in the New York Times who called it a 'must-see'. What's their name again? Or were they from the Chicago Tribune? Globe and Mail? I'll bet you it's all those design shows on TLC causing problems.....
The OAA even has a People's Choice Award. We are even awarding the
'ugly'. There is also people speculating about the Toronto Style and what it is.
Apparently several 5 year old europeans have this architectural knowledge. It reminds me of reading movie reviews. I guess every building has an award and if does not then why not create one. It's like reading headlines from that columnist in the New York Times who called it a 'must-see'. What's their name again? Or were they from the Chicago Tribune? Globe and Mail? I'll bet you it's all those design shows on TLC causing problems.....
Labels: news
Friday, April 25, 2008
Staff Projects
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Shambles York UK
...someone just sent along this historic place to me....thought I would share it's architecture.
Labels: news
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
New Construction Continues on Ministry Offices
Monday, April 21, 2008
Staff Social- Birthdays
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Pushing the Office Interior
Thank you to Ben for the following inspitrational link.....
Ben is the original creator of our website.....
Labels: news, office interior
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Graffiti Research Lab
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Two Complimentary TTC Graphics- My Favs
Caster by Mockett
Monday, April 14, 2008
Colio Niagara Winery Ministry Certificate
The new winery designed by G. Bruce Stratton Architects is close to receiving approval from the Ministry of the Environment. We hope to have the last few concerns clarified this week in order to proceed with the new design. The certificate will allow a final meeting with the public for site plan approval as well as give the owner approval for the winemaking.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
GBSA Social ...at the ROM
One Last Kick at the Museum Cat
Royson James of the Toronto Star on the Museum Station Renovation:
"Formerly a mundane, nondescript, forgettable stop, Museum is now an underground landmark "
...say what? and then
"Toronto can do mediocre architecture and the world will walk by without stopping – like they do to the opera house, as wonderful as it is inside"
hmmmmmm?....same architect Royson....what are you saying?
"Formerly a mundane, nondescript, forgettable stop, Museum is now an underground landmark "
...say what? and then
"Toronto can do mediocre architecture and the world will walk by without stopping – like they do to the opera house, as wonderful as it is inside"
hmmmmmm?....same architect Royson....what are you saying?
Labels: news, subway stations
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Toronto Councillor's Analogy
“We have a public transit system that has the same design scheme as a public bathroom,” Councillor Joe Mihevc, a TTC commissioner, said last month.
Sadly, this is the design quote of the month.
Sadly, this is the design quote of the month.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
So now what?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Google Images Toronto Architecture
.......just two of the images that appear on the first page of a Google image search of Toronto Architecture.
Labels: news
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Toronto's Crystal Cultural Renaissance Revival
So, the National Post takes note of the ROM addition as one of the new architectural wonders. Next, we hear of a cultural renaissance forged by the AGO, ROM, Gardiner Museum and Opera House. We are not sure if there is a cultural renaissance or just some big buildings being redesigned. There are also several new condominium towers perhaps re-inventing how we live. The Gehry building is a Gehry building here or in Cleveland. Modernism has been around for decades. Zinedine Zidane.
Labels: news
Monday, March 17, 2008
G Bruce Stratton Architects Website
Our website has been updated and fine tuned courtesy of WebFeat here in Toronto.
Please check it out and drop us a note.......
Please check it out and drop us a note.......
Labels: news
Steven Holl in Toronto (or close)
The next installment of famous architect in Toronto is Steven Holl.
His work is great but I am unsure about this particular commission.
more......
His work is great but I am unsure about this particular commission.
more......
Labels: architects, news
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Architecture Office Meets Auto Repair Shop
So a friend sent me these photos of a one of a kind architecture office....
Labels: interior design, news
Monday, March 3, 2008
Museum Maestros
MUSEUM MAESTROS
a documentary directed by John Bessai
BROADCAST PREMIERE
WEDNESDAY MARCH 5 2008
ON BRAVO!
AT 8PM EST / 5PM PST
Museum Maestros chronicles the life and work of Gail and Barry Lord, a husband and wife team of international museum experts.
Projects visited in the documentary include the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the World Trade Centre Memorial, the Island of Culture in Abu Dhabi, the American Revolution Center in Philadelphia and the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.
a documentary directed by John Bessai
BROADCAST PREMIERE
WEDNESDAY MARCH 5 2008
ON BRAVO!
AT 8PM EST / 5PM PST
Museum Maestros chronicles the life and work of Gail and Barry Lord, a husband and wife team of international museum experts.
Projects visited in the documentary include the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the World Trade Centre Memorial, the Island of Culture in Abu Dhabi, the American Revolution Center in Philadelphia and the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.
Labels: news
Monday, February 25, 2008
Philadelphia
Friday, February 22, 2008
Bloor-Lansdowne
It appears as if the somewhat forgotten intersection of Bloor and Lansdowne will receive a somewhat distant movie studio boost. The short strip between Lansdowne and Dufferin does cater to some of the darker professions. The studios would be a significant boost to a historic building and an area full of potential.
Labels: news
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Historic Queen and Bathurst Burns
The famous intersection of Queen and Bathurst suffered a 6 alarm blaze the other night. The intersection is famous for just being eclectic. More important, some of the buildings are representative of historic Toronto's Victorian past. Still an important intersection to the local artist scene from musicians, painters, fashion designers and architects. Recently we blogged about how the Queen St car ride was one of the better ones in the world because of intersections such as the one above.
Labels: news
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
7 Words or Less
A recent Financial Post article tells us about the ability to define your business in as few words as possible. Blueprint Business Architecture has made a business out of providing such a service. "Opening Sooner" were the words given to a shelving company whose units installed in half the time. Overall, an interesting tool in the time of proposal writing.
Labels: news
Friday, February 8, 2008
New Dodge Challenger
Has car design ever influenced architecture? You may argue that the aerodynamic designs we now see in buildings is a spin off of the design savvy automotive market.
To some recent inspiration...
To some recent inspiration...
Labels: automobiles, news
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Lakers-Cavaliers
So, the roof of the Staples Center started leaking in the middle of a basketball game 2 week's ago sunday. The comentators noted that the roofing company was on site and about to tarp the area. The leak ceased. Moments later the sideline reporter indicated that some of the staff working in the area left their wet clothes on the catwalk and that this was the source of the water. The sportscaster quickly retaliated "Sounds like a cover up by the roofing company to me!" .......sounds like a long site meeting to me.
(see the video in the attached article)
(see the video in the attached article)
Labels: news
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Office Cat Tagged
Stratton Architects Completes OCC
The interior renovations at 250 Yonge Street(Ontario Collaborative Centre) are complete. The space was opened yesterday by Minister Sandra Pupatello. The ministry has released a news item documenting the event.
Labels: news, OCC, office interior
Monday, February 4, 2008
Library Expansions in the Modern Era
The most interesting point about the new Robarts Library expansion is the justification about this expansion occuring even in the electronic era. There is further justification of people needing at least a place to study. On the other hand, Toronto's Public Library system is constantly increasing it's computer terminals in all of it's branches. How has studying changed? Do students still take books out of libraries or is it easier to google your query? Computers are slowly replacing books. It will be interesting to see what the new Robarts will boast as the University hub adopts a new medium.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Ryerson on the Move
Ryerson had purchased some of the vacant and new buildings in it's neighbourhood. The move has prompted a desire to close Gould Street creating a pedestrian walk. This would help improve the campus student circulation. I don't believe you can start building sidewalk cafes as the sidewalk is already too narrow because of Kerr Hall.
Labels: news, urban planning
Monday, January 28, 2008
International Style
Local architects talk about recent notable buildings and architects which have made an impact. The sad part is that the list does not include any canadian architects. Sure there is mention of the pink plastic of the Shnier Umbra store but that's just like a bucket of paint covering up an ugly brick facade. Nothing revolutionary about extruded plastic just look at your neighbours deck.
I could swear I saw a Patkau knock-off circulating the Toronto offices a few years back.
I could swear I saw a Patkau knock-off circulating the Toronto offices a few years back.
Labels: news
Friday, January 25, 2008
LEEDing the Way?
The recent push to have a LEED building has gripped architecture.
The lastest is Honda. The irony is that it is an automotive company. What does it mean when the largest polluters are creating environmentally friendly buildings? It is great to get theses buildings but we really need to look at their product first.
The lastest is Honda. The irony is that it is an automotive company. What does it mean when the largest polluters are creating environmentally friendly buildings? It is great to get theses buildings but we really need to look at their product first.
Labels: news
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Museum Subway Station Toronto
So, the debate continues over the renovations of the seldom used but crystal attached Museum subway station. The new look for the station which is almost complete is set to mimic the museum artifacts and ancient civilizations. Next on the list is Osgoode subway regardless of the fact that the TTC just 'cleaned' the station. There is something refined and timeless about the glazed tile walls of the subway stations. This same characteristic can be found riding the rails in Montreal. If this plan is a one station deal it has some merit. Once more stations adopt the persona of it's name or area it does become a ride in disneyland. When you go to a museum you expect to be transformed so the station would be 'warm-up'. But what if you loathe the concept? What if you want your museum experience separate from your commute to work? Are the bus shelters next? What if you paid in rocks to enter the station? Or all the staff dressed in linen kilts? As a one station deal it may be successful. If more stations follow.....were in trouble.
(photos top-Museum Station proposal bottom two-STCUM Montreal)
Labels: interior design, news, subway stations
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Cirque Designing Canadian Expo 2010
The idea of having the Cirque du Soleil designing Canada's pavilion at the upcoming expo is a strange one. Is Nike or Gatorade designing our sporting facilities? Furthermore, when has recent Expo design been of any architectural merit or contextual importance? According to the article, the Cirque has mandate to design a building. There really is not enough information about this story.... looks like Liebskind? PCL?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Simcoe Street Tunnel
The 45 million cost to connect the Simcoe streets is set to take place. The bill will be split by the city and the Fairmount Hotels.Our office is very close to 'northern' Simcoe St. It currently is home to several parking taxis and very little traffic both pedestrian vehicular.Probably best know as a 'short-cut' street. The extension should help will access to the waterfront and to the core only if it is made a two-way street.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Catching on to Robson Square
As a previous resident in Vancouver, the proposal for Robson Square raised an eyebrow on this blog(Monday January 7, 2008). It appears now that the RAIC has also taken note of this wooden roof proposal. Now if only someone would read our post abot the Hummingbird Centre or the Front St. silos.
Labels: news
Monday, January 14, 2008
Toronto to Montreal Housing
It appears as if Montreal is set to join in on the condo building.
The city temporarily avoided the taller residential buildings of Toronto and New York . This is due to the fact that Montreal had a large stock of older schools, churches, and factories which were ideal for new core development. During the last referendum bargain houses went up for sale daily. These same homes, some of which were on the Plateau, are now too expensive for most Montrealers.
So, architecturally, just expect more and more of that 'Montreal modernism' but taller.
The city temporarily avoided the taller residential buildings of Toronto and New York . This is due to the fact that Montreal had a large stock of older schools, churches, and factories which were ideal for new core development. During the last referendum bargain houses went up for sale daily. These same homes, some of which were on the Plateau, are now too expensive for most Montrealers.
So, architecturally, just expect more and more of that 'Montreal modernism' but taller.
Labels: news
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Hotel Design
It appears as if individually designed or themed rooms is the direction hotels are taking. The traveller is looking beyong the inexpensive and benal and including their stay as part of the trip experience. NY Habitat offers apartments that are large enough or vacant to house guests. For the real NY experience this is highly recommended. These artist rooms now appear as a real alternative.
Gladstone Hotel
Hotel Fox
Gladstone Hotel
Hotel Fox